Eyewitness – RENON
June 6, 2026
The General Election Commission (KPU) of Bali Province officially received a visit from the Election Commission of India (ECI) delegation from Assam State, alongside representatives from the India International Institute of Democracy and Election Management (IIIDEM).
The visit is part of a knowledge and experience exchange program aimed at strengthening transparent, inclusive, and credible electoral governance between Indonesia and India.
During their field trip to Bali, the ECI and IIIDEM delegations are scheduled to visit the Denpasar City KPU and observe a local polling station (TPS) at Banjar Sembung Sari, Sumerta Kelod Village, East Denpasar.
The event at the Bali KPU office commenced with an opening address by the Chairman of Bali KPU, I Dewa Agung Gede Lidartawan. Extending a warm welcome to the delegates, Lidartawan expressed hope that this visit would foster closer institutional ties and pave the way for broader collaboration in electoral management.
Lidartawan also highlighted several innovations and best practices implemented by the Bali KPU during the 2024 Elections and Local Elections (Pilkada). He emphasized that Bali’s experience shows electoral success relies not only on technical aspects, but also on the integration of local culture, public participation, and synergy among stakeholders.
A Milestone for Democratic Excellence
Also present at the event, KPU RI (National Election Commission) Commissioner Idham Holik commended Bali as a region with a stellar track record in democratic practices. He noted that Bali Province demonstrated exceptional performance during the 2024 Concurrent Elections, highlighted by a clean record of zero election dispute cases registered in the Constitutional Court.
Idham Holik underscored that successful elections are born from strong synergy between electoral organizers, local governments, security forces, political parties, the media, and the public.
”Indonesia and India share common ground as major democracies with massive voter turnouts and complex logistical challenges. Therefore, forums like this are crucial for sharing experiences and innovations to elevate the quality of democracy in both nations,” Holik stated
Blending Modern Innovation with Local Wisdom
During the presentation session, the Bali KPU detailed its strategic achievements during the 2024 elections. Key topics included voter turnout rates, the flagship “Green Election” initiative, and the utilization of traditional villages (desa adat) and traditional wooden bells (kulkul) as voter education tools. The commission also explained how they integrated the Balinese philosophy of Tri Hita Karana into democratic practices.
Furthermore, the Bali KPU outlined its efforts to boost voter inclusivity, accommodate vulnerable groups, navigate geographical hurdles, and leverage information technology to support various election phases. This dual approach demonstrates how Bali successfully bridges regulatory compliance with service innovation and local wisdom.
Meanwhile, the Head of the ECI and IIIDEM Delegation, Shri Anurag Goel, expressed his high appreciation for the warm hospitality extended by KPU RI and Bali KPU. In his presentation, Goel shared India’s extensive experience in utilizing Electronic Voting Machines (EVM) and the Voter Verifiable Paper Audit Trail (VVPAT).
According to Goel, the implementation of EVM and VVPAT has significantly boosted efficiency, reduced paper-based logistics, and accelerated the vote-counting process. He also expressed keen interest in Bali’s voter data management system and its culturally grounded approach to public engagement.
Through this bilateral visit, the Bali KPU hopes to cement stronger institutional bonds between the electoral bodies of Indonesia and India. The meeting is expected to serve as a catalyst for ongoing knowledge exchange, networking, and mutual learning to deliver more professional, transparent, inclusive, and trusted elections in the future.
Reporter: Daniel Herry
